Miss last night’s episode? Here’s what you need to know about ARROW’s “Honor Thy Father”
AIRDATE: 10/17/12 WRITERS: Andrew Kreisberg & Marc Guggenheim DIRECTOR: David Barrett SYNOPSIS: When a corrupt Starling City businessman orders the Chinese Triad to “take care of” Laurel, it’s up to Oliver and his green-hooded alter-ego to save her. A job made all the more complicated under the watchful eye of his rightfully suspicious bodyguard John Diggle (David Ramsey) and mother Moira (Susanna Thompson). The latter of whom spent the better part of the episode pressuring Oliver to act his age and think of his father’s legacy by taking over the company. INTRODUCED: Kelly Hu as iconic DC Comics villain China White. HISTORIC MOMENT: Confirmation that Oliver wasn’t alone on that island thanks to a shocking last-minute reveal of a second, not to mention, dangerously accurate shooter! NOTABLE QUOTABLE: “This guy gets more airtime than the Kardashians,” was how Oliver characterized the media’s obsession with this green-hooded vigilante. LESSON LEARNED: Those interested in jump-starting their own businesses that may-or-may-not have shady ties to some sort of local criminal underworld should spend more time training ones henchman and less time focusing on coherent logo design and brand strategy. After-all, we have a feeling that it’s going to be a little too easy for a certain masked vigilante to connect the dots thanks to the Chinese Triads penchant for placing their fairly memorable logo on things! We’re just sayin’ CRITIQUE: Shocking cliffhanger-complete ending aside, ARROW’s second outing suffered from a serious case of Network micro-management in that “Honor Thy Father” amounted to little more than a massive re-hash of every plot point introduced in the series premiere complete with “for dummies” voiceover via Oliver Queen. Luckily for viewers, what the episode lacked in interesting story thanks to yet another tale of takedown that saw Oliver’s green-hooded alter ego bring a second bland white collar criminal justice, it more than made up for with a handful of moments. Namely, the introduction of an adversary worthy of Arrow’s attention in China White, the development of Oliver’s bromance with bodyguard John Diggle and his increasingly intriguing relationship with younger sister Thea. All of which – in stark contrast to his frienaissance with damsel in distress Lana Lang Laurel Lance — seem rife with potential. GRADE: C+
ARROW airs Wednesdays at 8PM on The CW (CTV in Canada)